Tool jaws

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to improved selectively operable tool jaws. The jaws are movably coupled with respect to each other, and are operable to a first, closed, position and a second, open position. In the first closed position the jaws communicate to form a bight, wherein an elongated, substantially U-shaped partially restricted groove longitudinally disposed within a first jaw is aligned with a similar elongated, substantially Ushaped unrestricted groove in a second jaw, providing guiding and forming means for an elongated bundling strap introduced tail end forwardly of the head end within the partially restricted groove of the first jaw and advanced around the bight into the grooved second jaw, the ratio of the radius of curvature of the bight to the thickness of the bundling strap being controlled in such manner as to cause the bundling strap to be partially deformed thereby, and to assume a generally arcuate shape, the tail end portion of the bundling strap curling away from the elongated groove in the second jaw and towards the apertured head end portion which is partially restrained within the elongated groove in the first jaw.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Laszlo Hidassy Elizabeth, NJ. [21] Appl. No. 875,219 [22] Filed Nov. 10, 1969 [45] Patented Nov. 23, I971 [73] Assignee Thomas & Betts Corporation Elizabeth, NJ.

[54] TOOL JAWS 7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] [1.8. CI 140/932, 140/93 A. 140/123 [51] Int. Cl. B2lf9/02 [50] FieldotSelrch l40/57,93 A,93.2,93.6,102.5.117.l23.123.5.123.6; 254/ 1 34.3 R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,320,515 11/1919 Warwick 140/93 3,515,178 6/1970 Hidassy 140/123.6

Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson Attorne David Teschner ABSTRACT: The invention is directed to improved selectively operable tool jaws. The jaws are movably coupled with respect to each other. and are operable to a first, closed, position and a second. open position. In the first closed position the jaws communicate to form a bight, wherein an elongated. substantially U-shaped partially restricted groove longitudinally disposed within a first jaw is aligned with a similar elon' gated. substantially U-shaped unrestricted groove in a second jaw, roviding guiding and forming means for an elongated bundling strap introduced tail end forwardly of the head end within the partially restricted groove of the first jaw and advanced around the bight into the grooved second jaw, the ratio of the radius of curvature of the bight to the thickness of the bundling strap being controlled in such manner as to cause the bundling strap to be partially deformed thereby, and to assume a generally arcuate shape, the tail end portion of the bundling strap curling away from the elongated groove in the second jaw and towards the apertured head end portion which is partially restrained within the elongated groove in the first awv PAIENTEUHBY 2 IB 3.621.889

sum 1 BF 2 INVENTOR. LASZLO HIDASSY Q wg/ik ATTORNEY TOOL JAWS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention is directed to the field of tool jaws, and principally to selectively operable tool jaws applicable for use with automatic bundling strap installing tools of the type shown and described in my copending application, Ser. No. 705,046, filed Feb. 13, 1968, for an Automatic Bundling Strap Installing Tool, assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. It is equally applicable to guiding and forming means for elongated straps.

2. Description of the Prior Art Selectively operable tool jaws according to the prior art as exemplified in my copending application Ser. No. 705,046, filed Feb. 13, 1968, for an Automatic Bundling Strap Installing Tool," now US. Pat. No. 3,515,178, assigned to the assignee of the instant invention, operated solely as guide means to attempt to direct the path of an elongated bundling strap inserted therein and advanced therethrough, about a plurality of articles, conductors or the like, placed within the jaws. The tail end portion of the bundling strap, inserted within a first jaw forwardly of the head end portion, would follow the general contour of the jaws. In order to form the bundling strap around articles within the jaws, it was necessary to mechanically deflect the tail end portion of the bundling strap downwardly by means of a plunger, the concave face of which was caused to contact the tail end portion which portion then attempted to follow the contoured face of the plunger, to engage the apertured head end portion seated therein. Any irregularity upon the concave plunger face or at the termination of the tail end portion of the bundling strap would tend to cause that portion of the bundling strap to jam and buckle, preventing engagement thereof with the aperture in the head end portion. Additionally, the elongated guiding groove in the first jaw provided an unrestricted channel for the advancing bundling strap, permitting the portion of the bundling strap contained therein to buckle away from the groove in the event the strap was advanced too rapidly or the tail end portion encountered an obstruction during the insertion cycle, thereby causing an improper bundling condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to improved selectively operable tool jaws which overcome the problems noted above with respect to prior art devices by providing a means for guiding and preforming elongated bundling straps introduced therein. A bundling strap having a tail end portion and an apertured head end portion is introduced, tail end forward, into a first jaw member having an elongated, substantially U-shaped, partially enclosed groove longitudinally disposed therein the first jaw member communicating with a second jaw member in a first, closed, position. The strap is then advanced around the bight formed by the arcuate portions of the first and second jaw members, and into an elongated, substantially U-shaped, unrestricted groove in the second jaw member. The radius of curvature of the bight formed by the communication of the arcuate portions of the first and second jaw members is such that the tail end portion of the elongated bundling strap advancing therethrough is partially deformed into a generally arcuate shape. As a result, the tail end portion of the bundling strap is caused to curve away from the elongated groove in the second jaw member, and towards the apertured head end portion which is releasably restrained within the partially enclosed elongated groove in the first jaw member. The tail end portion may then be introduced into the aperture in the head end portion by guiding means adapted to support the head end portion in proper angular relationship with respect to the advancing arcuately formed tail end portion. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide improved selectively operable tool aws.

It is another object of this invention to provide improved selectively operable tool jaws having a partially enclosed elongated groove in a first jaw member to guide and releasably restrain an elongated bundling strap introduced therein.

It is another object of this invention to provide improved selectively operable tool jaws having arcuate portions communicating in a first, closed, position to form a bight, the radius of curvature of which is adapted to preform an elongated bundling strap advanced therethrough, into a generally arcuate shape, to thereby direct the tail end portion of the strap into engagement with the apertured head end portion thereof in proper relationship thereto,

Other objects and features of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention, and the best mode which has been contemplated for carrying it out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of tool jaws constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention, with an elongated bundling strap shown in a partially looped configuration within the jaws, and the jaws in a first, closed, position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the tool jaws of FIG. 1, illustrating the entry of the tail end portion of an elongated bundling strap within the apertured head portion thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the tool jaws of FIG. 1, shown in a second, open, position.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the first jaw member of the tool jaws ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an end elevation, in section, ofa portion of the first jaw member ofFIG. 4 taken along the lines 55.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the second jaw member of the tool jaws of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an end elevation, in section, of a portion of the second jaw member of FIG. 6 taken along the lines 77.

Similar elements are given similar reference characters in each of the respective drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown tool jaws l0 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Tool jaws 10 are shown in a first, closed, position wherein a first end 20 ofa first jaw member 12 is in communication with a first end 22 ofa second jaw member 14. A generally arcuate portion 16 of the first jaw member 12 combines with a similar generally arcuate portion 18 of the second jaw member 14 to define a generally curved portion 24, providing preforming means for an elongated bundling strap 26 advanced therethrough. As may be better seen in FIG. 1, the ponion of elongated bundling strap 26 adjacent the apertured head portion 30 is releasably restrained within a partially enclosed generally U-shaped elongated groove 34 (seen in FIG. 4) in first jaw member 12, as strap 26 is advanced within the tool jaws 10. A portion of contoured surface 44 of a bundling strap advancing means 32 is appropriately recessed to receive the apertured head end portion 30 of bundling strap 26, the head end portion 30 being supported thereby in proper angular relationship to receive tail end portion 28 therein upon completion of an advance stroke. As illustrated in FIG. I, bundling strap 26 has been partially advanced about a plurality of conductors 46, or the like, the tail end portion 28 of bundling strap 26 curling away from the generally U-shaped groove 40 (seen in FIG. 6) longitudinally disposed within second jaw means 14, as a result of the deformation of the tail end portion 28 caused by its traversal through the curved portion 24 of tool jaws 10. In FIG. 2, strap 26 is shown further advanced within tool jaws 10 by advancing means 32, wherein tail end portion 28 of bundling strap 26 has been received by and has entered the apertured head end portion 30 thereof, the generally arcuate shape imparted to tail end portion 28 by means of the deformation caused by curved portion 24. thereby directing the tail end portion 28 into engagement with apertured head end portion 30 in proper relationship thereto.

Turning now to FIG. 3 there is shown tool jaws 10 in a second, open, position. Second jaw member 14 is pivoted about a pivoting means such as 48 to permit selective operation between the first, closed, position and the second, open, position, allowing placement of conductors 46 or like items (seen in FIGS. 1 and 2) within the jaws l2 and 14, or removal therefrom.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a first jaw member 12 of tool jaws l constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. An elongated, substantially U- shaped, partially enclosed channel 34 is longitudinally disposed within first jaw member 12, terminating at the first end 20 thereof. Positioned within channel 34 and coupled thereto by means of a support block 45 and fastening means 47, along a portion thereof, is resilient means 36, having substantially parallel upstanding sides 42 and inwardly protruding portions 38 thereon along one edge thereof, partially restricting the opening between upstanding sides 42. An elongated bundling strap 26 of a proper predetermined width is introduced within the slot defined by upstanding resilient portions 42, inwardly protruding portions 38, and the top surface 43 of support block 45. Strap 26 is releasably restrained therein, and removable therefrom by the exertion of sufficient releasing force upon bundling strap 26 to cause upstanding portions 42 and inturned portions 38 to be deformed generally outwardly.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, second jaw member 14 of tool jaws 10 is shown. Second jaw member 14 has, longitudinally disposed therein, an elongated, substantially U-shaped, unrestricted groove 40 terminating at first end 22 of second jaw member 14. In the first, closed, position of tool jaws 10, first end 22 of second jaw member 14 at the termination of second arcuate portion 18 thereof, communicates with first end at the termination of first arcuate portion 16 of first jaw member 12, wherein groove 40 in secondjaw member 14 is axially aligned in longitudinal relationship with groove 34 in firstjaw member 12, providing a generally continuous smooth strap guiding and preforming means. FIG. 7 represents a sectional view of FIG. 6, taken along the lines 7-7 and illustrates more clearly the elongated, substantially U-shaped unrestricted groove 40 within second jaw member 14. In practice, elongated bundling strap 26 is introduced, tail end portion 28 forwardly of head end portion 30, within the partially enclosed slot defined by upstanding sides 42, inturned portions 38 of resilient means 36, and surface 43 of support block 45, in first jaw member 12, the head end portion of bundling strap 26 being elevated thereabove in such manner as to prevent its engagement within the partially enclosed slot (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Strap 26 is thereafter advanced forwardly around curved portion 24 defined by the communication of first arcuate portion 16 and second arcuate portion 18 of first and second jaw members 12 and 14, respectively, the tail end portion 28 of bundling strap 26 being deformed into a generally arcuate shape thereby, and curling away from elon gated groove 40 in second jaw member 14 and towards the apertured head end portion 30 of bundling strap 26. It has been found in practice that the loop-shaped portion or curved portion 24 defined by the first arcuate portion 16 and second arcuate portion 18 of the first and second jaw members 12 and 14 respectively should have a predetermined curvature with respect to the thickness of the elongated bundling strap 26. It has been found that the ratio of predetermined curvature of curved portion 24 to the thickness of the bundling strap 26 should be in the range of from 10 to 20. At the completion of the advance stroke, elongated bundling strap 26 is formed into a complete loop about articles 46 contained within tool jaws 10, tail end portion 26 having been received by apertured head end portion 30 of strap 26 and displaced therethrough. First and second jaw members 12 and 14, respectively, may then be operated to a second, open, position, permitting bundled articles 46 to be removed therefrom. The portion ofelongated bundling strap 26 adjacent the apertured head end portion 30, and releasably restrained within the partially enclosed groove 34 in first jaw member 12 may be released therefrom upon the exertion ofa slight disengaging force.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes of the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

Iclaim:

1. In an automatic installing tool for placing and fastening elongated bundling straps, having apertured head end portions and tail end portions at their respective ends, about a plurality of articles to be bundled, of the type having selectively operable jaw means, the improvement comprising: a firstjaw means; a second jaw means movable coupled with respect to said first jaw means, said second jaw means communicating at a first end thereof with a first end of said first jaw means when said first and second jaw means are in a first position; said first jaw means having a first elongated groove longitudinally disposed therein for receiving and guiding a bundling strap introduced therein; said second jaw means having a second elongated groove longitudinally disposed therein for further receiving and guiding a bundling strap introduced therein; said first elongated groove being contoured to define a first generally U-shaped channel, the surfaces ofsaid firstjaw means defining said first elongated groove extending generally in parallel to the surface of said first jaw means adjacent said second jaw means; and further comprising resilient means positioned within said first elongated groove and coupled thereto along a portion thereof; said resilient means comprising a pair of substantially parallel, spaced-apart, upstanding portions, defining a channel therebetween; inwardly protruding portions, one for each of said upstanding portions coupled to a free end thereof along the length thereof to partially restrict the opening therebetween, to releasably restrain the removal of an elongated bundling strap introduced therein.

2. The improved structure of claim 1 wherein said second elongated groove in said second jaw means is contoured to define a second generally U-shaped channel, the surfaces of said second jaw means defining said second elongated groove extending generally in parallel to the surface of said second jaw means adjacent said firstjaw means.

3. The improved structure of claim 4 wherein said second generally U-shaped channel is of sufficient width to permit loose engagement between said second generally U-shaped channel and an elongated bundling strap introduced therein.

4. The improved structure of claim 3 wherein said first jaw means has a first generally arcuate portion adjacent said first end thereof.

5. The improved structure of claim 4 wherein said second jaw means has a second generally arcuate portion adjacent said first end thereof.

6. The improved structure of claim 7 wherein said first and second generally arcuate portions, in said first position, define a generally loop-shaped portion, said first elongated groove and said second elongated groove in said first and second jaw means, respectively, being axially aligned longitudinally therein, said first and second elongated grooves in said generally loop shaped portion providing preforming means, wherein an elongated bundling strap introduced therein and forcibly displaced therethrough is caused to assume a generally arcuate shape.

7. The improved structure of claim 6 wherein said loopshaped portion has a predetermined curvature, and said elongated bundling strap has a predetermined thickness, a ratio of said predetermined curvature to said predetermined thickness being in a range of from l0 to 20, to cause an elongated bundling strap introduced with said tail end portion forwardly of said apertured head end portion within said first generally arcuate portion of said firstjaw means and advanced about said loop-shaped portion into said second generally arcuate portion of said second jaw means, said jaw means being disposed in said first position, to be substantially deformed thereby into a generally arcuate shape, said tail end portion of said elongated bundling strap curling away from said second elongated groove in said second jaw means and towards said apertured head end portion of said elongated bundling strap. 

1. In an automatic installing tool for placing and fastening elongated bundling straps, having apertured head end portions and tail end portions at their respective ends, about a plurality of articles to be bundled, of the type having selectively operable jaw means, the improvement comprising: a first jaw means; a second jaw means movable coupled with respect to said first jaw means, said second jaw means communicating at a first end thereof with a first end of said first jaw means when said first and second jaw means are in a first position; said first jaw means having a first elongated groove longitudinally disposed therein for receiving and guiding a bundling strap introduced therein; said second jaw means having a second elongated groove longitudinally disposed therein for further receiving and guiding a bundling strap introduced therein; said first elongated groove being contoured to define a first generally U-shaped channel, the surfaces of said first jaw means defining said first elongated groove extending generally in parallel to the surface of said first jaw means adjacent said second jaw means; and further comprising resilient means positioned within said first elongated groove and coupled thereto along a portion thereof; said resilient meaNs comprising a pair of substantially parallel, spaced-apart, upstanding portions, defining a channel therebetween; inwardly protruding portions, one for each of said upstanding portions coupled to a free end thereof along the length thereof to partially restrict the opening therebetween, to releasably restrain the removal of an elongated bundling strap introduced therein.
 2. The improved structure of claim 1 wherein said second elongated groove in said second jaw means is contoured to define a second generally U-shaped channel, the surfaces of said second jaw means defining said second elongated groove extending generally in parallel to the surface of said second jaw means adjacent said first jaw means.
 3. The improved structure of claim 4 wherein said second generally U-shaped channel is of sufficient width to permit loose engagement between said second generally U-shaped channel and an elongated bundling strap introduced therein.
 4. The improved structure of claim 3 wherein said first jaw means has a first generally arcuate portion adjacent said first end thereof.
 5. The improved structure of claim 4 wherein said second jaw means has a second generally arcuate portion adjacent said first end thereof.
 6. The improved structure of claim 7 wherein said first and second generally arcuate portions, in said first position, define a generally loop-shaped portion, said first elongated groove and said second elongated groove in said first and second jaw means, respectively, being axially aligned longitudinally therein, said first and second elongated grooves in said generally loop shaped portion providing preforming means, wherein an elongated bundling strap introduced therein and forcibly displaced therethrough is caused to assume a generally arcuate shape.
 7. The improved structure of claim 6 wherein said loop-shaped portion has a predetermined curvature, and said elongated bundling strap has a predetermined thickness, a ratio of said predetermined curvature to said predetermined thickness being in a range of from 10 to 20, to cause an elongated bundling strap introduced with said tail end portion forwardly of said apertured head end portion within said first generally arcuate portion of said first jaw means and advanced about said loop-shaped portion into said second generally arcuate portion of said second jaw means, said jaw means being disposed in said first position, to be substantially deformed thereby into a generally arcuate shape, said tail end portion of said elongated bundling strap curling away from said second elongated groove in said second jaw means and towards said apertured head end portion of said elongated bundling strap. 